Boating in Playas del Coco with Marcy, a Local Boat Operator

When it comes to the ultimate beach vacation in Costa Rica, Playas del Coco is one of the best places to do so. At first glance, the beach is not that impressive and what people don’t know is that right around the corner are stunning white sand beaches that you can have all to yourself.

The only way to enjoy these beaches is to go on a private boating tour in Playas del Coco since most of these beaches are boat access only. As the Gulf of Papagayo is huge, there are so many hidden beaches that you can spend days exploring them all.

We’ve gone boating in Playas del Coco many times and in our experiences, our favorite memories have always been with our friend Marcy who owns a boating company in Coco.

Please click here to fill out the form to book your tour or receive a quote. For reviews and comments from our past readers who have booked this tour, scroll down to the bottom of the post to the comment section!

About Marcy who Runs the Boating in Playas del Coco Tours

Marcy is a Costa Rican who has been living in Coco for over 20 years. He grew up Escazu but his outdoor loving parents took him to Guanacaste every holiday and school break.

20+ years ago, there weren’t the amount of tourists in Coco like there is now and they enjoyed the pure beach life. It was these childhood memories that made him move to the coast and go out in the ocean as much as possible.

Marcy boat captain — Boating in Playas del Coco with Marcy

Fast forward to today, Marcy now owns his own boat company in Coco. He surfs as much as he can, fishes when he gets a chance and takes people out on his boat so they can discover the tremendous beauty of the Gulf of Papagayo.

Playas del Coco Private Boat Tours

Marcy offers different types of boating tours, all private. They are:

Beach hopping and snorkeling
Fishing
Surfing

Gulf of Papagayo Boating Tours: Beach hopping and snorkeling

First of all, boating in the Gulf of Papagayo is incredible. Every time we go beach hopping with Marcy, we have an amazing time.

boating in playas del coco - silver bullet — Marcy’s boat – the silver bullet

You can ask him to take you to the best spots or he will take you to the best beaches. A few of our favorites are Playa Penca, Huevo, Palmares, Junquillal and Jicaro.

boating in Playas del Coco - Playa Jicaro — Jicaro beach

Costa Rica beach vacation in Guanacaste — Look at the color of the water!

boating in playas del coco gulf of papagayo — Playa Junquillal

boating in playas del coco - Palmares — Palmares beach

Playa Huevo beach in Gulf of Papagayo — Boating in Playas del Coco at one of our favorite beaches: Playa Huevo

You can watch a quick video of one of our favorite beaches that Marcy always takes us to when we go boating in Playas del Coco, Playa Huevo.

Wildlife

In addition to beach hopping and snorkeling, you can see lots of wildlife. During certain times of the year, you can see whales, dolphins, turtles and manta rays.

He doesn’t run specific whale or dolphin tours but the rich waters of the Gulf offer many wildlife watching opportunities. We usually see dolphins and manta rays when we go boating in the Guf of Papagayo!

Furthermore, during July – December, you can see whales and turtles because it is their breeding and migration season. (You can read more about Costa Rica wildlife and whales in Costa Rica). We have seen humpback whales in July and August before. September is also a good month to see babies.

Watch our short snorkeling video to see what it’s like!

Extras

Marcy also has some extra toys he can bring for an additional charge.

He has a wakeboard and tube which are both really fun. The wakeboard is a bit harder if you’ve never done it before. Due to that reason, I recommend the tube if you want to have some extra fun. But both are perfect to add a bit more excitement to the trip.

boating in Playas del Coco - donut — Tubing!

He can also bring an SUP board (dog not included) 😉

Stand up paddle boarding in Costa Rica — Yeison stand up paddle boarding with our dog

Surfing

Marcy is a surf addict and goes out to 2 of the best spots in the area: Ollie’s Point and Witch’s Rock. Both spots are suitable for intermediate to expert and he checks the tide every day to see what time is the best according to the level of his clients. Marcy has been surfing for most of his life and is one of the best locals to go with as he knows these two spots inside and out.

Ollie’s Point and Witch’s Rock are generally better for intermediate surfers however so if you have never gone surfing before, we recommend to go to Tamarindo for beginner lessons (best beach for surfing in the area).

Fishing

Lastly, Marcy does fishing tours, mostly in shore fishing, trolling and a bit of jigging. The last couple times we went in shore fishing we caught a couple tuna and mahi mahi.

Fishing in Coco — Boating and fishing in Playas del Coco – my parents caught some black tuna

Have an amazing time Boating in Playas del Coco with Marcy

If you want to experience Playas del Coco with a local, you need to book Marcy’s Gulf of Papagayo boating tours. His boat is comfortable for up to 6 adults and his experience and knowledge of these waters is priceless. Most importantly, he is fully insured and is a licensed boat captain with decades of experience under his belt.

Above all, we love supporting local companies and businesses. When we were introduced to Marcy, we certainly knew that he was one Tico we had to share with our readers. Experience the real pura vida when you go out on the waters with an ocean loving Costa Rican. Trust me it’ll be a memorable day!

Watch our video below to meet Marcy!

Boating in Playas del Coco Tour Information

A half day is from 8 AM – 12 PM. A full day is 8 AM – 4 PM. He can also do half day sunset tours from 2-6 PM. Surfing tours normally start at 6:30 AM.
All tours include water, soda, fruit and local beer.
These are private tours, no open or shared tours.
His boat can hold up to 6 adults with a combined weight of 1130 lbs.
The boat is 23 feet long and doesn’t have a bathroom.
For fishing tours, he can only hold up to 4 adults.
Children 8 and under have no fee, 9 and up are adult prices.
His boat has snorkel equipment and life jackets of all sizes.
Pick up is complimentary from Coco, Ocotal, Hermosa and Panama. Please check the form below for pick up charges in other locations.
If you are in Tamarindo/Conchal, you will need to drive to Coco or we can arrange round trip transportation for you.

Ready to book private Coco boating tour? Fill out the form below and we will get back to you with a quote right away! Do not leave a comment, please use the form. Thank you.

***The form is having some issues with some browsers. If it’s not going through, please contact us with the following information: Date, number of adults and children (and children’s ages), your pick up location, and type of tour.***

Playas del Coco boat tour

Tour Quote Request
Name*
First Last
Email For All Correspondence*
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Select Your Tour
Coco Private Boating Tours*
All tours are private (no shared)
Hours: 8 AM to 12 PM or 2 PM to 6 PM for sunset afternoon.

Includes snorkel equipment.

Morning tour: You will go to about 3-4 beautiful secluded white sand beaches and snorkel spots. This is the best time for snorkeling to see colorful tropical fish, manta rays, sea urchins and other marine life. If you're visiting July - November, you will have the possibility to see wildlife like whales, turtles and dolphins.

Afternoon tour: Visit about 3-4 white sand beaches and snorkel spots. You still have chances for good snorkeling in the early afternoon, especially in the dry season months. Then you will sail back under the sunset and see the sky change stunning colors. Also have possibility to see wildlife like whales, turtles and dolphins July - November.

As these tours are private, you can stay as long or short as you like at the beaches and snorkeling spots. You're in charge! Marcy will also check out conditions to pick the best spots and beaches for the day.
Hours: 8 AM to 4 PM

Includes snorkel equipment. Lunch is not included, you must bring your own food.

You will go to about 5-6 white sand, secluded beaches and snorkel spots and you can stay as long as you like. On a full day, you get to snorkel to your heart's content! For beach and snorkel lovers, the full day offers the best experience to satisfy your inner beach bum. Perfect for the ultimate ocean adventure to beach hop and snorkel in Guanacaste! If you visit July - November, the full day gives you many more possibilities to see wildlife like dolphins, turtles and humpback whales.

As these tours are private, you can stay as long or short as you like at the beaches and snorkeling spots. You're in charge and you make the schedule! Marcy will also check out conditions to pick the best spots and beaches for the day.
Hours: 8 AM to 12 PM

Includes snorkel and fishing equipment and license.

4 people max for fishing

Visit about 3 beautiful boat access only white sand beaches in the Gulf of Papagayo to relax and snorkel. You will do some inshore fishing along the way (mostly trolling) using a few fishing poles and bait. You can also drop lines at the beaches and spots the boat anchors at. Marcy will always have an eye on conditions and he'll bring you to different spots that are best for the day to snorkel and fish. You'll get some gorgeous views of the coast as you troll around the Gulf!

Possible fish to catch are snapper, grouper, wahoo and tuna (and mahi mahi May - November). You can keep the fish you catch (unless otherwise said by the captain due to type of fish, size, etc.)
Hours: 8 AM to 4 PM

Includes snorkel and fishing equipment and license.

4 people max for fishing

On this full day snorkel and fishing tours, you will visit 4-5 boat access only white sand beaches and snorkel spots. Combine that with some trolling and inshore fishing using multiple fishing poles and bait for a super fun day out.

The full day gives you ample time for all the ocean fun. Snorkel as long as you want, fish as long you like and beach hop to your heart's content. As a private tour, you're on nobody else's schedule so if the fishing is hot, you can keep on fishing. If you decide you'd rather snorkel or swim at the beaches more, that's perfectly fine too! During July - November, the full day also gives you much more possibilities to see wildlife like dolphins, turtles and whales as you boat around the Gulf.

Possible fish to catch our grouper, snapper, tuna, wahoo and mahi mahi (during May - November). You can keep the fish you catch (unless otherwise said by the captain due to type of fish, size, etc.)
Hours: 8 AM to 12 PM

Includes all fishing equipment and license.

4 people max for fishing

This is a half day inshore fishing around the Gulf of Papagayo. During the day, you will see beautiful coastal views and have the possibility to see wildlife like dolphins, turtles and manta rays June - November as you boat around the Gulf.

You will do mostly trolling and can catch grouper, snapper, wahoo, mahi mahi (May - Nov) and tuna. The equipment includes 3-4 fishing poles and bait. You can keep the fish you catch (unless otherwise said by the captain due to type of fish, etc.)
Hours: 8 AM to 4 PM

Includes fishing equipment and license. Lunch is not included so you will need to bring your own.

4 people max for fishing

On this full day of in shore fishing, you will troll around the Gulf of Papagayo and see beautiful coastal views along the way.

Possible fish to catch are mahi mahi (May - Nov), wahoo, grouper, snapper and tuna. You can keep the fish you catch (unless otherwise said by the captain due to type of fish, etc.)
Surf at Witch's Rock, an amazing surf destination and go snorkeling in the Gulf of Papagayo! This surf spot is a hollow beach break with bigger peaks to the south as it faces the large rock. The perfect combination tour for ocean lovers and surfers.

Surfing trips generally leave around 630 AM. We will confirm the time of departure once the reservation is made. Return is usually around 3-4 PM.

Not recommended for first timers and beginners. If you would like to take a lesson, we can arrange a surf lesson at Tamarindo instead (best beach in the area for beginner surfing lessons)

Normally, you will first go surfing at Witch's Rock (this depends on the tide). Then on your way back, you will go around the Papagayo Gulf to snorkel and see white sand beaches.

There is an extra $15 per person national park permit for Witch's Rock for adults and kids over 9. Under 9 is free. If you need surfboards, please write in the comment section if you need surfboards, type of board and how many you need.
Surf at Witch's Rock in Santa Rosa National Park, the ultimate surfing destination in Costa Rica. A must do for intermediate and expert surfers! This surf spot is a hollow beach break with bigger peaks to the south as it faces the large rock.

Surfing trips generally leave around 630 AM. We will confirm the time of departure once the reservation is made. Return is usually around 3 PM.

Not recommended for first timers and beginners. If you would like to take a lesson, we can arrange a surf lesson at Tamarindo instead (best beach in the area for beginner surfing lessons)

There is an extra $15 per person national park permit for Witch's Rock. If you need surfboards, surfboard rentals are $30 per board and $50 per long board. Please write in the comment section if you need surfboards, type of board and how many you need.
Extras
The following have an extra charge which we will let you know in the email.
Morning or Afternoon*
Guest Information
Date*
Date Format: MM slash DD slash YYYY
Other Possible Dates
If you have more than one day available for the tour, enter those above.
Pick up and drop off location*
Pick up and drop off will be at the corresponding beach. Transportation from your hotel to the beach meeting point is not included.
Other Location*
If you are staying somewhere not listed above, please enter the name of your hotel and the beach
Do you need transportation?*
If you have a car, you will drive to Coco beach which is the meeting point for the boat tour. If you don't have transportation, we can offer you transportation options.
Hotel and Contact Info*
Enter the name of the hotel you're staying at and a working phone number in Costa Rica.
Number of Adults*
These are private tours only (no shared). For fishing tours, the boat can hold up to 4 people. The boat can hold up to 6 adults with a combined weight of 1130 lbs for snorkeling and surfing.
Number of Children*
Children that are 8 and under don't have any cost. Children 9 and above are adults prices.
Children Ages*
Questions/Comments/Special Instructions
Cancellation and Changes Policy
Cancellation policy: No cancellation fees up to 72 hours of tour date. Less than 72 hours will be 100% of the deposit

Changes policy: Flexible in changes but new tour date is subject upon availability.

Weather related changes/cancellations: The tour runs rain or shine, except for when there is a weather advisory warning.

If Marcy cancels the tour due to weather before pick up time, we will refund 100% of the deposit. If tour keeps running but client cancels, the deposit is nonrefundable.

No refunds for no shows. The longest the boat can wait is 30 minutes.

All prices are quoted in USD and we will send you an invoice to pay for the tour. We don't accept echecks

Mytanfeet LLC is a registered Costa Rican company. We are a 100% Costa Rican travel consulting company based in Guanacaste, Costa Rica.

For any questions, please email services@mytanfeet.com

Boating in Playas del Coco with Marcy

About Marcy who Runs the Boating in Playas del Coco Tours

Playas del Coco Private Boat Tours